Andy Taplin

Director & Lighting Cameraman

Welcome

I’m a freelance director and lighting cameraman with more than 20 years experience in factual and corporate production, based in Cambridge UK. I own a Canon C300 kit, as well as other cameras, with extensive lighting, grip and sound equipment.

I’m just as happy directing a film from concept through to delivery as I am shooting and being directed. I particularly enjoy working collaboratively with other production professionals and keeping up to date with new techniques, technology and best practice.

On the site you’ll find examples of my work and links to industry resources that I find useful. And, through regular blogs, I’ll write about some of the tips, techniques and views I’ve gained working in the photographic, TV and video production industries.

You can also see examples of my work on Vimeo by clicking on the link below.

Stanley Kubrick is one of those ‘marmite’ directors – people seem to either love or hate his films. Some people will grudgingly acknowledge that Kubrick was an auteur who commanded respect but they just can’t love his movies. I however, admire his work more than that of any other mainstream English-speaking director before or since …

Over the last couple of years the TV and video industry has gone crazy for the filmic, shallow-depth-of-field-look that, until recently, photographers and cinematographers shooting with 35mm cameras have had all to themselves. Now, with the recent introduction of affordable large sensor video cameras like RED, Alexa, F3, AF100 and the DSLRs, everyone’s using it. …

Stanley Kubrick is one of those ‘marmite’ directors – people seem to either love or hate his films. Some people will grudgingly acknowledge that Kubrick was an auteur who commanded respect but they just can’t love his movies. I however, admire his work more than that of any other mainstream English-speaking director before or since …

Over the last couple of years the TV and video industry has gone crazy for the filmic, shallow-depth-of-field-look that, until recently, photographers and cinematographers shooting with 35mm cameras have had all to themselves. Now, with the recent introduction of affordable large sensor video cameras like RED, Alexa, F3, AF100 and the DSLRs, everyone’s using it. …

Audio is often seen as a poor relation compared to the images during the production of everything from big budget feature films to the humblest corporate video. This is a mistake. Imagine you are about to embark on a long-haul flight and you have the option of two seats: one has a TV with poor …

Where do our eyes look when we view a film? You might assume that the main focus of interest is say the face of the actor who is talking, or the person walking across the frame. Mostly you’d be right, but as some recent fascinating research shows our eyes dart about the screen the whole …

In the 1970s the music recording industry, searching for innovation, came up with Quadraphonic audio or ‘Quad’ as it became known to hi-fi buffs. It was one of the earliest consumer offerings in surround sound and it was a commercial failure due to its many technical problems, which were solved too late to save the …

The creative worlds of film, video and TV are now driven by digital technology and have converged with the IT industry. So, although many people consider themselves to be ‘non-technical’, it’s becoming clear that at least some degree of understanding of basic IT concepts and how they relate to digital imagery is essentia to be …

Sometimes the really simple approach, devoid of gimmicks and the latest gadgets, can produce the best result in the shortest possible time. Lighting interviews is a good example. On a recent trip to Marseilles to interview a Professor of Oncology I took five lights with me: 2 x 150W Dedos; an 800W Lowel Tota; a …

My friend Linda Stradling, a hugely experienced PM and tutor (currently running courses at the National Film and TV School), has recently published a brilliant guide to the skills involved in production management. Drawing on insights gained through her extensive career working for the likes of Channel 4, the BBC, Darlow Smithson, Mentorn, the Discovery …

Last year, after a tense courtship, the moving pictures industry fell head-over-heels in love with the Canon 5D MK11 and its cousins, despite their well-documented failings as professional video cameras. I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else and I’ve not regretted it. The 5D takes fantastic stills and is still the only remotely affordable …